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Abstract

COVID-19 and its ripple effects (e.g., social distancing, sport cancellations, quarantining) negatively affected the careers of collegiate student-athletes. The disruption to university systems and collegiate athletics and the stress and uncertainty felt globally likely increased international student-athletes' (ISAs) risk for distress. Yet, ISAs also possessed unique characteristics and were immersed within supportive sport environments, which may have shaped their psychological responses in distinct ways. The COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity to understand how ISAs, as individuals navigating both athletic and international identities, responded and coped. To date, no study has examined the initial coping experiences of international collegiate athletes, even though college athletes were strongly affected. Thus, I examined ISAs’ experiences related to coping during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of collegiate sports. Through an open-ended question, ISAs (N = 516; women = 62.6%; Mage = 20.41 years, SD = 1.57 years) across NCAA Divisions and 23 sports shared their coping experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis identified five higher-order themes: 1) Affected by COVID-19 and Sports Cancellation; 2) Coped Through Avoidance; 3) Social Support – A Blessing and a Challenge; 4) Focused on Health, Wellness, & Spirituality; and 5) Gained Acceptance through Gratitude and Routines. Findings illuminate ways universities can support ISAs’ unique needs.

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